Grinnell vs. Kenyon

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Kenyon College in Gambier, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kenyon College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,249 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Kenyon College is in Gambier, OH (Distant Rural setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kenyon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Kenyon College 9:1.

Grinnell vs. Kenyon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Kenyon? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grinnell College than Kenyon ($34,363 vs. $46,859).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kenyon College are 7.1% lower than at Grinnell College ($15,640 vs. $16,842).
• Kenyon College is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grinnell (about $3,414 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Kenyon than at Grinnell College (about $3,414 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Kenyon College (94% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Kenyon College students ($49,077 vs. $40,731).

Grinnell vs. Kenyon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell or Kenyon? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Kenyon and Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 50 points higher than at Kenyon (1430).
• Incoming Grinnell students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Kenyon (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Kenyon College 1358/1503.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Kenyon College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Kenyon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Kenyon Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Kenyon (3.84).
• Kenyon has a higher acceptance rate (31%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 18.3% at Kenyon.

Grinnell vs. Kenyon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Kenyon? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Kenyon College's (87%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Kenyon graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $52,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $5,830 lower median loan debt than Kenyon graduates ($13,170 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kenyon graduates ($136 vs. $196).
• More Kenyon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grinnell students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 87%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.